Strategy on Health Care Financing for Countries of the Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regions (2006-2010)

Recognizing that many countries and areas need to review critically their health care financing arrangements and develop strategic policy options intended to work towards the goal of universal coverage of necessary health services of assured quality;

Noting that health systems in Asia and the Pacific are complex and diverse and therefore no single model of health care financing is suitable for all countries and areas, which are in different socioeconomic development stages;

Accepting that there is a need to maintain and when possible increase health investments and public spending on health to scale-up essential health interventions affecting the poor and vulnerable;

Acknowledging that health care financing policies and strategies can improve financial protection for the population by reducing various forms of direct out-of-pocket payment and strengthening risk-sharing and fund-pooling through prepayment financing options;

Recognizing that the availability and use of accurate and reliable health care financing data and information are essential for effective policy formulation, implementation and monitoring,

ENDORSES the Strategy on Health Care Financing for Countries of the Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regions, 2006-2010;

URGES Member States:

(1) to use the Strategy and other available sources and information on health care financing as references for developing and improving national policies and strategies on health care financing where appropriate;

(2) to use the Strategy and other available sources and information on health care financing as appropriate, when preparing short- and medium-term national socioeconomic development plans and actions at national and subnational levels;

(3) to collaborate with all stakeholders and development partners, including the private sector, at country and intercountry levels in formulating and implementing health care financing strategic actions;

REQUESTS the Regional Director:

(1) to support Member States to improve health care financing policies using the Strategy and other available sources and information on health care financing as appropriate, in line with national socioeconomic development policies and programmes;

(2) to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, information, experience and evidence of effective health care financing arrangements among Member States;

(3) to advocate with national stakeholders, partners and development agencies for more effective investments in health and better resource coordination and utilization;

(4) to report back to the Regional Committee on the implementation of the strategy.